Raspberry PI 3 Model A+ datasheet

Last Updated on 6th February 2022 by peppe8o

In my previous posts we have seen how a Raspberry Pi Zero W can be useful for many funny projects. We have used it to realize a media center,  setup a web server to support your personal blog, or control a stepper motor for your first robotics project.

But not all people know that there is an amazing alternative from Raspberry Pi Foundation that enriches low range hardware with a more powerful low cost PI: Raspberry PI 3 Model A+.

Main difference between Raspberry Pi Zero and Pi 3 model A+ reside in its CPU: Raspberry PI 3 Model A+ integrates a 4 core Cortex-A53 (ARMv8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.4 GHz. This allows RPI 3 Model A+ to better answer to projects which require more CPU power. Moreover, the single USB 2.0 port helps with those projects requiring higher I/O throughput (like OctoPI project to control 3D printers).

At the end, RPI 3 A+ is more similar to PI 3 Model B. A+ have less RAM (512 MB compared with 1GB for B), less USB ports (1 compared with 4) and misses of Ethernet ports, having only WiFi (2,4 and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth. Raspberry PI 3 Model A+ also uses less power compared to PI 3 Model B (350 mA compared to 500mA) and is cheaper.

RPI 3 A+ also embed a standard 40-pi GPIO header to interface external world. It has been launched in 2018.

Hardware datasheet

So, Raspberry PI 3 Model A+ hardware features are summarized below:

• Processor: Broadcom BCM2837B0, Cortex-A53 (ARMv8) 64-bit SoC
• Clock speed: 1,4 GHz
• RAM: 512MB LPDDR2 SDRAM
• Built-in Wireless: 2.4GHz and 5GHz IEEE 802.11.b/g/n/ac wireless LAN, Bluetooth 4.2/BLE.
• Storage: micro-SD
• Display and Audio: Full-size HDMI, DSI display port and 4-pole stereo output and composite video port
• USB Port: Single USB 2.0 port
• Power input: 1 x micro-B USB for power (no data)
• Camera interface: CSI camera connector
• GPIO: Extended 40-pin GPIO header
• Compatibility of GPIO: Compatible with existing HAT addons
• Dimensions: 65mm x 56,5mm x 5mm

Recommended accessories

To make Raspberry PI 3 Model A+ working, you will need to have also te following accessories:

• A good quality 5V power supply
• a microSD Card
• HDMI to HDMI cable (please control correct cable, needed only if used with a desktop environment)
• USB Keyboard (only if used without ssh connection and/or with a desktop environment)

Remember the importance of the correct Power Supply and microSD performance class (their impact is described on improving Raspberry PI performances article).

Once acquired, the next step could be installing Raspberry PI OS Lite, or installing Raspbery PI OS Desktop or alternative ligth operating systems like DietPI.

What Can I Do With A Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+?

Below a projects list you can try with this board. You can setup all Pi Zero projects with the same procedures plus a number or addicting cool projects. Find more in peppe8o Home Page.

• Containers over Raspberry PI with Docker, RancherOS and Portainer
• Personal cloud with Raspberry Pi and NextCloud on Docker
• Control a 3D printer with Raspberry, Docker, OctoPi and Motioneye
• Install a complete WordPress host in a Raspberry Pi
• Controlling a stepper motor with Raspberry Pi
• How to create a media center with your Raspberry Pi Zero W
• Setup a proxy server with Raspberry PI and Squid
• Setup a Tor (The Onion Router) proxy with Raspberry PI
• … and many more …

Enjoy!